As a general rule, rich, flavorful meals are typically paired with full-bodied beverages. That is, a heavier meal might require a flavorful red wine. Lighter white wines are usually perfect with salads or lightly seasoned fish or chicken.

Beers can be just as complimentary to a dish as wines. For salads, soups, and other starters, pair your dish with a pale or amber ale. Another good choice would be a wheat beer. For poultry, try a bitter ale or a very hoppy lager. Cheeses go great with a hoppy beer, and desserts always go better with a stout. Consider one with a sweet, dark flavor like a honey beer.

Specialty cocktails are really the area to have the most fun with alcohol pairings for your meal. For cocktails, the right drink name can be all you need to pair it with a dish. Making borscht? Serve it with a vodka drink. Making jerk chicken? Why not serve a cocktail with spiced Caribbean rum? Of course, a little Tex Mex and tequila can go a long way.

It is important not to get too caught up in the rules, however. The most important deciding factor for your alcohol is taste! If you prefer a light white wine with a hearty meal, then buck tradition and go for it. After all, you are the one who is going to enjoy it.